5/28/2013 |
Eight hopefuls to be present on Draft's first nightWhen the First-Year Player Draft begins on June 6, eight players will be in MLB Network's Studio 42 eagerly waiting to hear their names called, Major League Baseball confirmed Tuesday. It is the largest group of potential draftees to attend the broadcast, breaking last year's mark of five.

5/28/2013 |
Harper likely out through Thursday, at leastAfter hinting Monday that Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper could be the designated hitter in the second half of Washington's home-and-home matchup against the Orioles this week, manager Davey Johnson said Tuesday that his 20-year-old slugger likely will miss the entire Interleague matchup with bursitis in his left knee.

5/28/2013 |
Machado: Hitting success is 'all about routine'Orioles hitting coach Jim Presley marveled at Manny Machado's mature approach at the plate when he came up last year, and the 20-year-old's offensive surge this season isn't due to any adjustments.

5/28/2013 |
Draft Watch: Time to make final impressionsWith less than two weeks remaining before the start of the 2013 First-Year Player Draft, there isn't much time left for scouts to see the players they've been evaluating all spring.

5/28/2013 |
Tulo, Cuddyer double up to take down AstrosShortstop Troy Tulowitzki opened the ninth inning with a double and Michael Cuddyer knocked him in with a single to propel the Rockies to a 2-1 win over the Astros on Tuesday in the series finale at Minute Maid Park.

5/28/2013 |
Lawrie still day to day; DL decision likely soonBlue Jays third baseman Brett Lawrie was forced to miss Tuesday afternoon's game against the Braves because of a sprained left ankle. The 23-year-old Lawrie is technically listed as day to day, but the Blue Jays cannot afford to wait too long before deciding whether he will require a stint on the 15-day disabled list.

5/28/2013 |
McCann leads home run derby to top Toronto in 10Brian McCann led off the 10th inning with a solo homer, his second of the contest, to break open a tie game and power the Braves to a 7-6 victory over the Blue Jays in front of 45,224 at Rogers Centre on Tuesday afternoon.

5/28/2013 |
Implosions underscoring value of reliable closerWhen it comes to the ninth inning, the statistical and the psychological simply don't mesh. While we have a mountain of mathematical data to suggest that so-called proven closers are, indeed, overrated, the psychological impact of instability in that inning cannot be overstated.

5/28/2013 |
Right-hander Peacock recalled by AstrosThe Astros recalled right-handed pitcher Brad Peacock from Triple-A Oklahoma City prior to Tuesday's game against the Rockies, taking the roster spot of outfielder Robbie Grossman, who was optioned to the Minor Leagues on Monday.

5/28/2013 |
Padres fans battle for cash on latest 'Bucks'A trio of old friends reunited at Petco Park for a game earlier this season -- each of them wearing a different style of Padres jersey -- when MLB.com invited them to be on the game show "Bucks on the Pond."

5/28/2013 |
Escobar's brilliant defense gives Royals high hopesAlcides Escobar winning a Gold Glove ought to be a question of when, not if. The Kansas City Royals' brilliant shortstop was at it again over the weekend. His team may be slumping, but Escobar's defense is still operating at peak efficiency.

5/28/2013 |
Hurlers must get crafty at point when velocity dipsVelocity is in style right now. It's what fans come to the park to see from their favorite pitchers. It's what gets power arms on more highlight reels than finesse arms. But there comes a point in every pitcher's career when the numbers on the radar gun begin to dip. What was once a velocity-based advantage becomes -- at best -- a wash.

5/28/2013 |
Adrian has been Dodgers' saving graceSet the table, clear it. Sweep and mop the floor. Whatever Dodgers manager Don Mattingly, in his hour of need, asks of Adrian Gonzalez, the first baseman seems happy to oblige.

5/28/2013 |
Adrian 4-for-4 as Dodgers derail AngelsAdrian Gonzalez had four hits as the Dodgers overcame another ineffective Zack Greinke start and a five-run deficit Monday night in their biggest comeback of the year, a wild 8-7 Interleague win over the Angels, whose win streak was snapped at eight.

5/28/2013 |
Colby bests Cory in Rasmus family face-offOn Monday night, Colby and Cory Rasmus faced each other for the first time in a meaningful game -- having always played together growing up -- and they did it at the Major League level.

5/28/2013 |
Solid Niese keeps Mets within striking distanceJon Niese's last start began dreadfully, but he battled through early trouble and gave the Mets a chance to win. On Monday, his night started out brilliantly but morphed into another battle, and he ended up keeping New York in perfect position once again. At this point, that's all the Mets can ask for.

5/27/2013 |
Santiago reaches out to Oklahoma tornado victimWhite Sox pitcher Hector Santiago has provided assistance for one of the tornado victims in Oklahoma, after his agent, Brian McCafferty, got in touch with a local church who made him aware of a family that lost everything in the tornado. The daughter in this family was going to postpone her arrival at college, but Santiago sent the family money to purchase college supplies so the daughter could start on time.

5/27/2013 |
X-rays negative after Revere slams into wall on catchPhillies center fielder Ben Revere made a spectacular over-the-shoulder catch in center field in the fourth inning on Monday at Fenway Park, but crumpled to the ground as he jammed his left elbow into the metal fence.

5/27/2013 |
Rivera perfectly content with decision to call it a careerThough Mariano Rivera's numbers are gaudy, and perhaps even beyond his own expectations, there is no changing his mind, no change of heart about retiring at the end of the season. "No chance, no chance," Rivera told MLB.com on Monday at Citi Field. "Zero chance."